Process for the production of N-(1,1,1-trisubstituted)-methylazoles

ABSTRACT

N-(1,1,1-trisubstituted)-methylazoles are produced by reacting thionyl-imidazole with a substituted carbinol of the formula:   wherein A is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic, B is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or a 5or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring having 1 to 3 N-heteroatoms or 1 or 2 N-heteroatoms plus an oxygen or sulphur heteroatom and D is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aryloxycarbonyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring having 1 to 3 N-heteroatoms or 1 or 2 Nheteroatoms plus an oxygen or sulphur heteroatom and related carbinols. The reactants are in 1:1 molar ratio and the reaction is carried out in dry inert solvents at a temperature of -20* C. to +150* C.

United States Patent [191 Draber et a1.

[ PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF N-( l,l,l-TRISUBSTITUTED METHYLAZOLES [75] Inventors: Willried Draber; Erik Regel, both of WuppertaLElberfeld, Germany [73] Assignee: Farbenlabriken Bayer AG, Germany [22] Filed: Feb. 19, 1971 [2!] Appl. No.: 117,161

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Feb. 26, 1970 Germany 2009020 [58] Field of Search 260/296 R, 308 R, 308 D, 260/386, 389, 390

[56] References Cited FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS 1,170,188 1 1/1969 United Kingdom 260/309 1 July 29, 1975 Primary Examiner-Henry R. .liles Assistant Examiner-Robert T. Bond [5 7] ABSTRACT N-(l,l,l-trisubstituted)-methylazoles are produced by reacting thionyl-imidazole with a substituted carbinol of the formula:

wherein A is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or heteroaromatic, B is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or a 5- or 6-mcmbered heteroaromatic ring having 1 to 3 N-hcteroatoms or 1 or 2 N-heteroatoms plus an oxygen or sulphur heteroatom and D is aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, aryloxycarbonyl or a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring having 1 to 3 N-heteroatoms or 1 or 2 N-heteroatoms plus an oxygen or sulphur heteroatom and related carbinols. The reactants are in 1:1 molar ratio and the reaction is carried out in dry inert solvents at a temperature of 20 C. to +150 C.

53 Claims, No Drawings PROCESS FOR THE PRODUCTION OF N-( l ,1 ,l-TRISUBSTITUTED)-METHYLAZOLES The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of known and novel N-(l,1,1- trisubstituted)-methylazoles useful as fungicides, herbisides and plant growth control agents.

Compounds of this invention and their salts have good antimycotic activities against human-pathogenic fungi and yeasts (see Belgian Pat. Nos. 736,314, 720,801, 741,310, 742,389, 746,301, 746,983 and 750,724) as well as fungicidal activities against phytopathogenic fungi (see Belgian Pat. Nos. 721,378, 727,488, 727,489,. 738,095 and US. Pat. No. 3,321,366). Furthermore, some of these compounds exhibit herbicidal activities or plant growth controlling properties (see Belgian Pat. No. 753,150).

H. Giesemann and G. Halschke [Chem. Ber. 92, 9298 (1959)] disclose that N-tritylimidazoles can be obtained by reacting the silver salts of imidazoles with triphenyl-chloromethane in boiling benzene, or, according to US. Pat. No. 3,321,336, by reacting sodium or silver salts of imidazoles with triaryl-methyl chlorides or bromides in suitable organic solvents at 20-l00 C. Moreover, N-tritylimidazoles can be prepared according to the above Belgian Pat. No. 720,801 by reacting triphenylmethyl halides with silver or sodium salts of imidazoles, or by reacting imidazoles with triphenylmethyl carbinols.

However, these known processes have a number of disadvantages. The silver salts of imidazoles must be separately prepared and are expensive starting materials. Moreover, Giesemann and Halschke supra state that the N-tritylimidazoles, which can be prepared by the reaction they describe, are only obtained in yields of between 11.5% and 49.7% of the theoretical yield.

The present invention provides a process for preparing N-(Ll,l-trisubstituted)-methylazoles of the formula (I):

Qn f} 2 wherein L is oxygen, sulphur, N-alkyl, N-aryl or CH; O is nitrogen or CH;

6 Z is hydrogen, alkyl, halogen or substituted or unsub- :stituted aryl and 1 n is l or 2:

and in which the radicals A and B together with the central carbon atom may be linked to form an aliphatic ring having 3-7 carbon atoms; and in the case where A is aliphatic and B is aromatic, A and B may also be 5 linked to one another, and A and B together with the central carbon atom may be linked to form a ring system which may be substituted in the aromatic rings and corresponds to the formula:

(R) (R)v C i V where Y is a direct bond, sulphur or oxygen or alkylene which may contain a double bond;

R is a substituent or hydrogen; and n is l or 2; the substituents R, may be the same or different in the rings; and in which D is a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic radical or alkoxycarbonyl,

alkoxy-carbonyl-alkyl, aryloxycarbonyl or a fiveor six-membered heteroaromatic ring of the formula (II):

Q n r 3 where Q, L, Z and n have the same meaning as above, and in which E is nitrogen or a group -CH or C-R';

G is nitrogen or a group (."H or -(i"-R where R and R together with the carbon atoms of E and G form a fused benzene ring; M is hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkoxy-carbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl; and i m is 1, 2 or 3, 1 which comprises reacting a thionyl-azolide of the formula (III):

in which E, G, M and m have the same meaning as above, with a carbinol of the formula (IV):

A- D (1V) l (i OH in which A, B and D have the same meaning as above, in dry organic solvents that are inert to the reaction, at temperatures from about -20 C. to about +l50 C.

The radicals A, B and D when aromatic may carry one or more identical or different substituents, preferably one or two, more particularly one. They preferably contain 6 to 10 carbon atoms; aromatic radicals which are particularly preferred are the phenyl and naphthyl radicals. The substituents in these aromatic radicals A, B and D may be straight-chain or branched alkyl groups having 1-8, preferably l-4 carbon atoms, which in appropriate instances may contain a double or triple bond; i.e., straight or branched chain alkenyl or alkynyl of up to 8 carbon atoms, preferably up to 6 carbon atoms; alkoxy groups and alkylmercapto groups having l-8 carbon atoms, preferably l-4 carbon atoms, methoxy, ethoxy and methylmercapto being specific examples. Other suitable substituents in the aromatic radicals A, B and D are phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl having l-4, preferably 1 carbon atom in the alkyl part; the amino group; the monoand dialkylamino groups where the alkyl groups contain 1-4, preferably 1 carbon atom; the carboxyl group; the carbalkoxy group containing 1-4, preferably 1 carbon atom in the alkyl part; electronegative substituents, for example nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl and the halogens, preferably fluorine, chlorine and bromine; and hydroxyl.

The heteroaromatic radical A is preferably a 6- membered heterocycle containing 1 to 3 nitrogen atoms; the main example being the pyridyl radical. The heteroaromatic radical A may carry the same substitutents as the aromatic radicals A. B and D. but it is preferably unsubstituted.

Aliphatic radicals A, B and D are straight-chain or branched alkyl groups which contain 1 to 8, preferably 1 to carbon atoms and may in appropriate instances contain a double or triple bond, i.e., straight or branched chain alkenyl or alkynyl of up to 8 carbon atoms, preferably up to 6 carbon atoms. The radicals A, B and D when aliphatic are preferably unsubstituted but may contain the same substituents as the aromatic radicals A, B and D.

Radicals A, B and D when cycloaliphatic preferably contain 3 to 10 carbon atoms. They are mono-, bi and tricyclic ring systems which may carry the same substituents as the aromatic radicals A, B and D and in addition, if the size of the ring allows, may also contain one or two double bonds. Saturated, unsubstituted, cycloaliphatic radicals are preferred: the cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo-[2,2,l ]-heptyl and adamantyl radicals are of special importance.

Heteroaromatic rings B and D are preferably the pyridyl radical and rings of the formula:

in which U is oxygen or sulphur, NH or N-alkyl with 1-4, preferably 1 carbon atom in the alkyl part;

V and W are identical or different and are each nitrogen or CH; and

R is hydrogen or alkyl with 1-4 carbon atoms, preferably with 1 carbon atom. The thienyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl and furyl radicals which may be substituted by methyl groups are particular examples. The preferred six-membered heteroaromatic ring is the pyridyl ring.

L in formula (1]) is the N-alkyl group having l-4, preferably 1 carbon atom, or the N-aryl group, where aryl is preferably phenyl.

When Z is alkyl it is a straight-chain or branched lower alkyl of [-4, preferably 1 carbon atom.

When Z is halogen it is preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, primarily chlorine or bromine.

When Z is substituted or unsubstituted aryl it ispreferably phenyl, which may contain the same substituents as the aromatic radicals A, B and D.

The radicals A and B together with the central carbon atom may form a 3- to 7-, preferably 5- or 6- membered ring, which may contain a double bond.

When A is aliphatic and B is aromatic, A together with two carbon atoms of B may form a 5- or 6- membered ring.

When Y is alkylene it contains 1 to 3, preferably 2 carbon atoms, and may contain a double bond. The substituents R may be those mentioned as substituents of the aromatic radicals A, B and D.

When D is alkoxy-carbonyl it contains l-4, preferably l or 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl part, and when D is alkoxycarbonyl-alkyl it contains l-4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl parts. When D is aryloxycarbonyl it contains 6 to 10, preferably 6 carbon atoms in the aryl part.

When M is alkyl it contains l-4, preferably 1 carbon atom; when M is aryl it is phenyl or naphthyl, preferably the phenyl group. When M is alkoxycarbonyl it contains l-4, preferably 1 or 2 carbon atoms in the alkyl part and when it is aryloxycarbonyl it contains 6 to 10, preferably 6 carbon atoms in the aryl part.

m is l, 2 or 3, preferably 1 or 2.

The thionyl-azolides required as starting material are prepared in known manner by reacting the heterocycles with thionyl chloride and with a base for intercepting the hydrogen chloride formed [H.A. Staab, K. Wendel, Ang. Chem. 73, 26 (1961); H. A. Staab, Ang. Chem. 74, 407 (1962)].

For example, thionyl-imidazole is obtained by introducing 1 mol equivalent of thionyl chloride into a solution or suspension of 4 mol equivalents of imidazole in acetonitrile. It is expedient to use a solvent in which the hydrochloride of the base used for intercepting the liberated hydrogen chloride is insoluble or sparingly soluble, for example tetrahydrofuran or acetonitrile.

Thionyl-l,2,4-triazole and the other thionyl-azolides are obtained in an analogous way.

The thionyl-azolides of the formula (III) are highly sensitive to moisture; it is therefore expedient to react them, after separation of the base hydrochloride, without isolation, in solution with a carbinol of the formula (IV).

The carbinols (IV) used as starting material are known and can be obtained in known manner, for example, from ketones and metal-organic compounds by aGrignard reaction, or from ketones and a-halo-fatty acid esters by a Reformatzki reaction, or also from ketones and pyridine-carboxylic acids by a Hammick reaction.

As diluents, there are used organic solvents which have been well dried and are inert to the reaction of the invention. Suitable solvents are, for example, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons with a boiling range from about 60 to 120 C., for example, petroleum ether, benzene or toluene; also nitriles such as acetonitrile; lower aliphatic ketones such as acetone; and dialkyl ethers such as diethyl ether. Other examples are nitromethane, dimethylformamide and tetrahydrofuran. Acetonitrile is the particularly preferred solvent.

The reaction temperatures may vary within a fairly wide range from about 20 C. to about 150 C. It is advantageous to work within the range from about C. to about 80 C., especially from about 0 to about 50 C.

In carrying out the process according to the invention, the starting materials are preferably used in a molar ratio of 1:1. The sequence in which the reaction components are brought together is of no importance for the feasibility of the reaction. The reaction times lie within the range from about 3 to about 25 hours. Depending on the selected solvent, the reaction product is precipitated when the reaction is completed and can be filtered off with suction or it can be isolated by the usual methods.

When o-chIorotrityl-carbinol and thionylbisimidazole are used as starting materials, for example, the course of the reaction can be illustrated by the following equation:

I [ll-J c oa+ s'=0- c1 N The process according to the invention must be regarded as chemically unusual, since the smooth formation of N-(l,1,1-trisubstituted)-methylazoles and the good yields were surprising and not to be foreseen.

react with thionylazolides of the formula (III) to give the N-( l,I,l-trisubstituted)-methylazoles of the formula (I).

The process according to the invention is also specially indicated in the case where the carbinols (IV) or their chlorides of the formula (V):

in which A, B and D have the same meaning as above, react with azoles according to known methods to form olefines where the chlorides (V) can be obtained only with difficulty; and where the carbinol (IV) cannot be converted under the conditions of known processes into the corresponding chloride or the corresponding azole (I). I

Furthermore, the N-( 1 l l -trisubstituted methylazoles are obtained in substantially higher yields according to the process of the invention than according to the known processes. The process according to the invention has the additional advantage that, due to the low reaction temperature, side reactions are suppressed, discolorations of the final product do not occur, the final products are obtained with a high degree of purity, and even reactions with temperaturesensitive substituents can be easily carried out.

The invention is illustrated by the following non'limi tative examples: 7

EXAMPLE 1" Y a N 1 ,1 lTriphenyl )-methyl-l ,2,4-Tria zole 27.6 g (0.4 mol) of 1,2,4-triazole were suspended in 300 ml of acetonitrile, and 11.9 g (0.1 mol) of thionyl chloride were added dropwise; the precipitated triazole hydrochloride was removed by filtration. The filtrate was mixed with a solution of 25 g (0.1 mol) of tritylcarbinol in 200 ml of acetonitrile and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux until the generation of S terminated. The solution was cooled to C., stirred into water, and 28.7 g (92% of the theoretical yield) of N-(1,l,l-triphenyl)-methyl l,2,4-triazole of the formula:

of 20 82l 1 C. were obtained.

EXAMPLE 2 N l -(2- N'-Methylimidazolyl)- 1. -2-(2"- Methylphenyl 1 -Phenyl ]-methyl-imidazole 27.2 g (O.4 mol) of imidazole were dissolved in 300 ml of acetonitrile andl 1.9 g (0.1 mol) of thionyl chloride were added dropwise; the precipitated imidazole hydrochloride was removed by filtration. The filtrate was mixed with a solution of l-(2'-N- methylimidazolyl)-l-(2"-methylphenyl)-benzylalcohol in 300 ml of acetonitrile, and the reaction mixture was heated under reflux until the generation of S0 terminated. By concentrating the solution to about onetenth of the original volume, there were obtained 15.2 g (50% of the theoretical yield) of N-[ l-(2-N- methylimidazolyl 1 2 -methylphenyl l -phenyl methyl-imidazole of the formula:

Cl-l

U0 .N i

of m. 186 c.

EXAMPLE 3 I 'Phenyl-2-isopropylphenyl-2-pyridyl-imldazoll -yl-' methane of m.p. 162l65 C.

' EXAMPLE 4 I,

Cyclopropyl-diphenyl-imidazol-l-yl-methane 22.4 g (0.1 mol) of cyclopropyl-diphenyl-carbinol were-mixed with a solution of 0.15 mol of freshly prepared thionyl-diimidazole in 200 ml of absolute acetonitrile and the mixture was heated under reflux-for 2 hours. The mixture was subsequently concentrated, the residue was taken up'with methylene chloride, shaken several times with water, the organic phase was dried over sodium sulphate and the methylene chloride solution was concentrated. The residue was triturated with ether, whereupon it crystallized. In this way, there were obtained 19.4 g (71% of the theoretical yield) of cyclopropyldiphenyl-imidazol-l-yl-methane of the formula:

EXAMPLE 5 Phenyl-Z-nitrophenyl-2-pyridyl-imidazoll -yl-methane From 32.5 g (0.48 mol) of imidazole, 14.3 g (0.12 mol) of thionyl chloride in ml of absolute tetrahydrofuran there was prepared, at -5 C., a solution of 0.12 mol of thionyldiimidazole; the precipitated imidazole hydrochloridewas filtered off with suction, and the filtratewas mixed with 30.6 g (0.1 mol) of phenyl- 3-nitrophenyl-2-pyridyl-carbinol. The resultant solution was heated under reflux for 3-4 hours, concen- What is claimed is: l. A process for the preparation of an N-(l,l,l-trisubstituted)-methylazole of the formula:

in which A is straight or branched chain alkyl of i to 8 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkenyl of up to 8 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo-heptyl or adamantyl, or

A is phenyl, naphthyl, pyridyl or imidazole each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono- ,alkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl;

B is straight or branched chain alkyl of l to 8 carbon atoms, straight or branched chain alkenyl of up to 8 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo-heptyl or adamantyl, or

B is phenyl or naphthyl each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of l to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, N CN, CF halogen or hydroxyl, or

B is a 5- or 6-membered ring system of the formula:

wherein wherein Y is a direct bond, sulphur oxygen, alkylene of l to 3 carbon atoms or CH=CH;

D is straight or branched chain alkyl of 1 to 8 carbon 5 atoms, straight or branched chain alkenyl of up to 8 carbon atoms, cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, bicyclo-heptyl or adamantyl, or

D is phenyl or naphthyl each of which is unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of l to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl; or

D is alkoxy-carbonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, alkoxy-carbonyl-alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms in each of the alkoxy and alkyl moieties,

D is a 5- or 6-membered ring system of the formula:

naphthyl, or alkoxy-carbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety; and m is l, 2 or 3, which comprises reacting a thionyl-azolide of the formula:

in which E, G, M and m have the same meaning as above, with a carbinol of the formula:

1 ACD in which A, B and D have the same meaning above, in a dry organic solvent inert to the reaction at a temperature in the range of C to +150 C.

2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein when Y E is nitrogen or (IIH,

G is nitrogen or CH,

M is hydrogen. methyl or phenyl and n1 is l or 2. 4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein E is nitrogen or -CH,

G is nitrogen or CH, and

M is hydrogen.

5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A, B and D are each phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, monoalkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.

6. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is imidazolyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to ,4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.

7. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is pyridyl, unsubstituted of substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.

8. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, monoalkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and the third is cyclopro- 9. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A is phenyl, one of B and D is isoxazolyl and the other is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of l to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono -alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyo, halogen or hydroxyl.

10. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A and B are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, monoalkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety,carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and D is alkoxycarbonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety.

11. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of A and B is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms,

. alkylmercapto of l to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, monoalkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl, the other is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and D is carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

12. A process as claimed in claim 4 vwherein A isphenyl, one of B and D is thienyl and the other is phenyl, unsubstituted orlsubstituted by alkyl of l to 4, carbon atoms, alkoxy of Ho 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to. 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or bydroxyl.

13. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A is phenyl, one of B and D is isoxazolyl, and the other is imidazolyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of. 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.

14. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of A, B and D is naphthyl and the other two are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 m4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l 'to 4 caralkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l 21. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carb- D are'phenyl or naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoroby alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon methyl, halogen or hydroxyl and D is alkylsulphonyl of atoms or alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

1 to 4 carbon atoms. 5 22. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the 16. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of substituents are methoxy, ethoxy or methylmercapto.

A, B and D are phenyl and the third is adamantyl, un- 23. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and substituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon D are phenyl or naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted atoms. alkoxy of] to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of by phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 amino, monoor dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l to 4 carin each alkyl moiety, carboxyl or carbalkoxy of l to 4 bon atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, hydroxyl, nitro, cyalkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon ano, trifluoromethyl, fluorine, chlorine or bromine.

atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hy- 24. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A is pyrdroxyl. l5 idyl.

17. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of 25. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein B, D or A, B and D are phenyl and the third is furyl, unsubstiboth is alkyl of 15 carbon atoms. tuted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, 26. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, D or alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of l to both is alkyl of l to 5 carbon atoms. 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of l to 4 car- 27. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein B, D or bon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of l to 4 carbon both are heteroaromatic rings of the formula: atoms, dialkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hy- 3 droxyl. l R

18. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of w t A, B and D are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of l to 4 carbon wherein U is oxygen or sulphur, NH or N-alkyl of 1-4 atoms, alkylmercapto of l to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, carbon atoms, V and W are identical or different and alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, monoeach is nitrogen or CH and R is hydrogen or alkyl of alkylamino of l to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of l 1 t0 4 carbon atomsto 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboyxl, carb- 28- A P as claimed in Claim wherein D alkoxy of l to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoroof both are thienyl, iSOXaZOlYL imidalolyl of y methyl, halogen or hydroxyl and the third is alkyl of 1 substituted or substituted by alkyl of l to 4 carbon to 5 carbon atoms.

]l9 A rocess as claimed in claim 4 wherein E and G 29. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thioare nyl-azolide is thionyl-bis-imidazole.

30. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thionyl-azolide is thionyl-bis-(1,2,4-triazole). V 40 31. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the car- I binol is a trityl-carbinol.

32. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is a heteroaryl-diphenyl-carbinol.

33. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is an alkyl-diphenyl-carbinol.

34. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the car- 6 binol is o-chlorophenyl-diphenyl-carbinol. R i 35. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the car- T binol is rnethoxycarbonyl-diphenylcarbinol.

5O 36. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is 3-nitrophenyl-phenyl-2-pyridyl-carbinol.

M is hydrogen, D is wherein R is hydrogen, fluorine, chlorine, bromine,

Pf as claimed in Claim wherein the methyl, mercaptomethyl or trifluoromethyl and T is bmo] 1S y 'li yi' f Cl-l or N and A and B together with the central carbon Process as Clalmed In Clalm 4, wherein the caratom are linked to form a ring system of the formula bmol 1S A- y P y phenylcarbinol.

39. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the car- Y binol is diphenyl-m-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl-carbinol.

40. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cari i binol is diphenyl-o-tolyl-carbinol. 41. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein ochlorophenyl-diphenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionylimidazole.

42. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein methox- I wherein Y is a direct bond, (Cl-l oxygen, sulycarbonyl-diphenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionylphur or CH CH. imidazole.

20. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and 43. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein 3- D are selected from the group consisting of phenyl and nitrophenyl-phenyI-Z-pyridyI-carbino1 is reacted with naphthyl. thionyl-imidazole.

44. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein dicyclohexyl-phenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionylimidazole.

45. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein -(3,4-

dichloro-isothiazolyl)-4-fluorophenyl-phenyl-carbinol 5 49. A process as claimed in claim 48, wherein the solvent is selected from petroleum ether, benzene or toluene.

50. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the solvent is acetonitrile.

51. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the starting materials for the reaction are usedin a molar ratio of 1:1.

52. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0 to C.

53. A process as claimed in claim 52, wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0 to 50 C. 

1. A PROCESS FOR THE PREPARATION OF AN N-((1,1,1-TRI-SUBSTITUTED)-METHYLAZOLE OF THE FORMULA:
 2. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein when Y is alkylene it is (CH2)2 and wherein M is methyl, methoxycarbonyl ethoxycarbonyl, or phenyl and m is 1 or
 2. 3. A process as claimed in claim 1, wherein
 4. A process as claimed in claim 1 wherein
 5. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A, B and D are each phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 6. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is imidazolyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 7. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is pyridyl, unsubstituted of substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 8. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and the third is cyclopropyl.
 9. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A is phenyl, one of B and D is isoxazolyl and the other is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 To 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyo, halogen or hydroxyl.
 10. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A and B are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and D is alkoxycarbonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety.
 11. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of A and B is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl, the other is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms and D is carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 12. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A is phenyl, one of B and D is thienyl and the other is phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 13. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A is phenyl, one of B and D is isoxazolyl, and the other is imidazolyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 14. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein one of A, B and D is naphthyl and the other two are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 15. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein A and B are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and D is alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 16. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is adamantyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 17. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl and the third is furyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl.
 18. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein two of A, B and D are phenyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono-alkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboyxl, carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, halogen or hydroxyl and the third is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.
 19. A process as claimed in claim 4 wherein E and G are
 20. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and D are selected from the group consisting of phenyl and naphthyl.
 21. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and D are phenyl or naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms or alkylmercapto of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 22. A process as claimed in claim 21, wherein the substituents are methoxy, ethoxy or methylmercapto.
 23. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, B and D are phenyl or naphthyl, unsubstituted or substituted by phenoxy, alkylsulphonyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or dialkylamino of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in each alkyl moiety, carboxyl or carbalkoxy of 1 to 4 carbon atoms in the alkoxy moiety, hydroxyl, nitro, cyano, trifluoromethyl, fluorine, chlorine or bromine.
 24. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A is pyridyl.
 25. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein B, D or both is alkyl of 1-5 carbon atoms.
 26. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein A, D or both is alkyl of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.
 27. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein B, D or both are heteroaromatic rings of the formula:
 28. A process as claimed in claim 27, wherein B, D or both are thienyl, isoxazolyl, imidazolyl or furyl, unsubstituted or substituted by alkyl of 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
 29. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thionyl-azolide is thionyl-bis-imidazole.
 30. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the thionyl-azolide is thionyl-bis-(1,2,4-triazole).
 31. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein tHe carbinol is a trityl-carbinol.
 32. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is a heteroaryl-diphenyl-carbinol.
 33. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is an alkyl-diphenyl-carbinol.
 34. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is o-chlorophenyl-diphenyl-carbinol.
 35. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is methoxycarbonyl-diphenylcarbinol.
 36. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is 3-nitrophenyl-phenyl-2-pyridyl-carbinol.
 37. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is dicyclohexyl-phenyl-carbinol.
 38. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is 5-(3,4-dichloro-isothiazolyl)-4-fluorophenyl-phenylcarbinol.
 39. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is diphenyl-m-trifluoro-methyl-phenyl-carbinol.
 40. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the carbinol is diphenyl-o-tolyl-carbinol.
 41. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein o-chlorophenyl-diphenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 42. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein methoxycarbonyl-diphenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 43. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein 3-nitrophenyl-phenyl-2-pyridyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 44. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein dicyclohexyl-phenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 45. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein 5-(3,4-dichloro-isothiazolyl)-4-fluorophenyl-phenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 46. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein diphenyl-m-trifluoromethyl-phenyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 47. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein diphenyl-o-tolyl-carbinol is reacted with thionyl-imidazole.
 48. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the solvent used is an aliphatic or aromaticc hydrocarbon boiling in the range from 60* to 120* C.
 49. A process as claimed in claim 48, wherein the solvent is selected from petroleum ether, benzene or toluene.
 50. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the solvent is acetonitrile.
 51. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the starting materials for the reaction are used in a molar ratio of 1:1.
 52. A process as claimed in claim 4, wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0* to 80* C.
 53. A process as claimed in claim 52, wherein the reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 0* to 50* C. 